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Seasonal Distribution and Movement of Lake Sturgeon in the Black Sturgeon River and Black Bay, Lake Superior Upper Great Lakes Management Unit – Lake Superior, Technical Report
AUTHOR Friday, Mike J.*
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Upper Great Lakes Management Unit,
Lake Superior, 435 James Street South, Suite 221e, Thunder Bay, Ontario,
Canada, P7E 6S8.
*Correspondence: [email protected] phone: (807) 939 3155.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
From 2003 to 2009 the seasonal migrations of ten sturgeon radio tagged in the
Black Sturgeon River (downstream of the Camp 43 dam) were examined using
shoreline based data loggers, manual tracking and two flights with an Astar
helicopter. This study has shown that lake sturgeon from the Black Sturgeon
River population (i) over-winter in Black Bay (ii) migrate into the Black Sturgeon
River in the spring and early summer (iii) migrate upstream as far as the Camp
43 dam (iv) inhabit the river during the spring, summer and early fall; and (v)
migrated from Black Bay into the Black Sturgeon River for up to 7 consecutive
years which is inconsistent with spawning behaviour. This study demonstrates
that tributary habitats likely provide opportunities for feeding or better thermal
regimes in addition to spawning.
TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables …………………………………………………………………………... i List of Figures …………………………………………………………………………. i List of Appendices ……………………………………………………………………. i Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………. 1 Materials and Methods……………………………………………………………….. 3
Radio telemetry…………………………………………………………………... 3 Tracking (data loggers) ………………………………………………………. 4 Tracking (manual) …………………………………………………………….. 5 Aerial survey 1 ………………………………………………………………... 5 Aerial survey 2 ……………………………………………………………….. 5
Water temperature………………………………………………………………. 6 Results…………………………………………………………………………………... 6
Telemetry………………………………………………………………………….. 6 Movements ………………………………………………………………………. 6
Fall winter ……………………………………………………………………… 6 Spring summer………………………………………………………………… 7
Discussion……………………………………………………………………………… 8
References……………………………………………………………………………… 10
LIST OF TABLES Table Pg.
1 Tracking method and location of data loggers from 2003 to 2009. 18
2 Tagging information for 10 lake sturgeon. 18 3 Years during which radio tagged lake sturgeon were detected in the
Black Sturgeon River. 19
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Pg.
1 The Black Sturgeon River from Black Bay, Lake Superior to the Camp 43 dam. 13
2 Location of present (Camp 43) and historical dams along the Black
Sturgeon River. 14 3 Flight path (dotted line) during the September 29, 2003 aerial
survey. 15 4 Flight path (dotted line) during the April 19, 2004 aerial survey and
location of three radio tagged sturgeon in Black Bay. 16 5 Location of tagging site, rapids (yellow circles) and radio telemetry
data loggers along the Black Sturgeon River. 17
LIST OF APPENDICES
App. Pg.
1 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeon into and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2004. 19
2 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeon into
and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2005. 22 3 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeon into
and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2006. 22 4 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeon into
and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2007. 24
i
ii
5 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeon into
and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2008. 25 6 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeon into
and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2009. 26 7 The seasonal movements of radio tagged lake sturgeon between
Black Bay and the Black Sturgeon River from 2003 to 2009. 26 8 The period of immigration into the Black Sturgeon River and
emigration into Black Bay as related to total river flows (m3·s-1). 29
INTRODUCTION Lake Superior stocks of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) declined in the late
18th century and into the early part of the 19th century (Ono et al. 1983). Three
factors have been cited as reasons for the decline: physical impacts on spawning
and nursery habitat, barriers to migration and over-fishing (Ferreri and Taylor
1999). Historic and current information indicate that at least 21 Lake Superior
tributaries once supported lake sturgeon populations (Harkness and Dymond
1961; Slade and Auer 1997; Holey et al. 2000). To address this decline, the
Lake Superior Technical Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission
produced a Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Plan for Lake Superior (Auer 2003).
The goal for lake sturgeon rehabilitation is to maintain, enhance and rehabilitate
self-sustaining populations where the species historically occurred basin-wide.
The plan lists nine Lake Superior tributaries currently known to support self-
sustaining lake sturgeon populations including the Black Sturgeon River.
The Black Sturgeon River is Lake Superior’s seventh largest tributary, draining a
watershed of approximately 2,980 km2 before emptying into the north end of
Black Bay (Figure 1). The river is approximately 100 km in length, has a mean
annual discharge of 19 m3·s-1 and originates at the outlet of Black Sturgeon Lake
(Swainson 2001). Since 1960, however only 17 river kilometres (rkms) of the
river has been accessible to Lake Superior’s migratory fish species due to the
construction of the Camp 43 dam (Figure 2). The lower 4 rkms of river is an
example of a wave-dominated delta. The straight river channel is relatively deep
(max 4.9 m) and was created as a result of predominant north-easterly waves
moving the river’s sediment uniformly along each shore of Black Bay (Sakamoto
2002) (Figure 3). Upstream from this the river is slow moving, has an average
depth of 4.0 m and consists mainly of sand, silt and organic substrates. The first
three sets of rapids are in close proximity to each other and commence
approximately 8 rkms upstream from Lake Superior. Additional rapids are
located just upstream of the Trans-Canada Highway and downstream of the
1
Camp 43 dam (Figure 3). Apart from these areas the river is deep and
meandering with steep eroding banks.
Black Bay’s surface area is approximately 60, 000 ha of which 30% (18, 000 ha)
is less than 5 m deep and 50% (29, 000 ha) is from 5 – 15 m in depth. Mean and
maximum water depths are 8.3 m and 64.5 m respectively. The north end of the
Bay is shallow while deeper water is largely restricted to a narrow channel in the
southern two thirds of the bay. Substrates along the north-western shoreline of
Black Bay are predominantly silts and clays with a minor component of sand
(Biberhofer 2003).
The Black Sturgeon River watershed was utilized extensively for log drives from
1937 to 1965. Dams were constructed at various lake outflows to manipulate
water levels. These lake outflows include: Eskwanonwatin Lake (the Camp 1
Dam was destroyed in a 1999 forest fire and partially removed), Black Sturgeon
Lake (Split Rapids Dam - was completely removed in the 1980’s), Shillabeer
Lake, Sturge Lake, Little Sturge Lake, Leckie Lake, Fog Lake, and Muskrat Lake
(Figure 2).
The Camp 43 dam (also known as the Twin Rapids dam) is the only remaining
dam on the system and was constructed in 1959-60 approximately 16.3 km
upstream from Lake Superior (Sakamoto 2002) (Figures 2).
This study was designed to examine the seasonal distribution and movement
patterns of lake sturgeon inhabiting the Black Sturgeon River (downstream of
Camp 43 dam) with access to Lake Superior.
2
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Radio Telemetry Radio telemetry equipment manufactured by Advanced Telemetry Systems
(ATS) was used in this study1. Transmitters consisted of five 85 g tags (model
F1855) with an expected battery life of 1095 d and five 25 g tags (model F1850)
with a life of 475 d. Individual transmitters were identified by unique frequencies
and operated within the 150.000 to 151.999 MHz band. Each transmitter had a
30 cm trailing whip antenna.
To capture sturgeon for tag implantation, multifilament gill nets in lengths of 45
and 73 m (50 and 80 yds) and mesh sizes of 254 mm (10”) and 305 mm (12”)
were set overnight from June 23 to 25 and on August 27 in a pool that is 325 m
downstream of the Camp 43 dam (approximately 16 km from the confluence with
Lake Superior) (Figure 3). Mean daily river flows during the two netting periods
were 17.4 and 29.9 m3·s-1 respectively. Gear depth ranged from 2.3 m to 3.4 m.
All sturgeon were sampled for length (fork, total), weight, girth and were tagged
with a five digit, white floy tag applied along the left hand side of the dorsal fin.
Some of the captured fish were selected for transmitter placement such that
internal tag weight would not exceed 2% of the fish’s body weight. The surgical
procedure for implanting radio transmitters was adapted from Martin et al. (1995)
and Ross M. (1982) with the following modifications. A solution of 1.2 ml clove
oil to 10.8 ml ethanol was used as an anesthetic. Fish were transferred to a
cattle trough containing 60 l of water and 36 ml of the clove oil/ethanol solution to
initially sedate each fish and to irrigate the fish’s gills during surgery. A portable
operating table, consisting of a foam-lined, v-shaped trough, was used to hold
individual sturgeon during transmitter placement. A surgical scalpel was used
to make a 5 cm incision just off midline, half way between the pectoral and pelvic
fins, for insertion of the transmitter. An exit incision for the trailing whip antenna
1 (Reference to trademark names does not imply endorsement by the Ontario government)
3
was created approximately 2 cm caudal to the main incision by inserting a hollow
biopsy needle (#11 Jamshidi bone marrow biopsy/aspiration needle) into the
abdominal cavity until the cutting end was visible in the main incision. The
antenna was threaded into hollow needle until it exited the body and the tag was
gently inserted into the abdominal cavity. The main incision was closed with four
individual sutures using Ethicon absorbable nylon thread and cutting needles.
Radio tagged fish were allowed to recover in a flow-through trough situated in the
river before being released at the capture site.
Tracking
Data Loggers Shoreline based data loggers (model R4500) were used to track the movements
of radio tagged sturgeon as they migrated into and out of the Black Sturgeon
River. These systems consisted of a switch box, two directional antennas, a 12-
volt deep cycle marine battery and a solar panel. The two antenna system was
used to interpret the direction of fish movement as one antenna was facing
upstream and the other was facing downstream. A data logger operated at the
mouth of the Black Sturgeon River (logger 1) from 2003 to 2009 and additional
loggers were installed in 2006 at the “landing” (logger 2 - 7.6 rkm from the
mouth), “railway” (logger 3 - 12.3 rkm from the mouth) and the Camp 43 dam
(logger 5 - 16.3 rkm from the mouth) (Figure 3 and Table 1). In 2007 the logger
that was at the railway crossing in 2006, was moved to the highway (logger 4 -14
rkm from the mouth), where it operated until 2009 (Figure 3). To verify daily
logger function, a reference transmitter was placed in the river at each location
and its frequency was recorded (by the logger) every six hours. From 2003 to
2005 loggers were installed in the spring and removed in the fall. In 2006 the
loggers were installed in the spring and allowed to run continuously until October
of 2009 when all systems were removed.
4
Manual During the open water season, sturgeon movements between the Camp 43 dam
and Black Bay were also monitored using a portable receiver (R2100) and a
hand held yagi antenna (manual tracking). The lower 9 kms of the river were
surveyed by boat. The remainder of the river was monitored on foot at a number
of road accessible sections, namely the Camp 43 dam, Highway 11/17 bridge,
the railway bridge and the washout pool approximately 8.2 rkms from Lake
Superior. Manual tracking took place on land and by boat in 2003, 2004, 2006
and 2007 but did not occur in 2005, 2008 and 2009 (Table 1).
Aerial Survey 1 Aerial surveys were carried out on September 29 and 30, 2003 via helicopter
(Astar). Tracking was carried out from the sea lamprey barrier on the Wolf River
to Lake Superior; from the mouth of the Black Sturgeon River to the Camp 43
dam; from the mouth of the Black Sturgeon River east around Delaney and
Scimming Islands; from Ham point up the eastern shore of Black Bay over to
Shesheeb Bay; from Brodeur Island, around Edward Island across Black Bay
and end north of Green Island (Figure 4). Aerial Survey 2 Another flight was carried out on April 19, 2004. The flight commenced at the
mouth of the Black Sturgeon River where the reference transmitter was detected
to ensure the tracking equipment was operational. We proceeded 16 km
upstream to the Camp 43 dam and then turned back downstream to the mouth.
We then flew along to the east shore to Ham Point, turned around along the
same tracking route and proceeded to the western shore until Dorion was
reached. Two more passes from Dorion to Ham point were flown as well as an
additional pass back upstream to the dam (Figure 5). Black Bay was frozen
over with ice.
5
Water Temperature Water temperature was recorded hourly at the highway 11/17 bridge using a
Vemco Minilog -T data logger. The logger was located on the east side of the
river in 0.5 m of water.
RESULTS Telemetry Ten radio transmitters were implanted into lake sturgeon ranging in total length
from 82.9 -110.5 cm (Table 2). The 25 g transmitters (n=5) were applied on June
23 and August 28. The 85 g transmitters (n=5) were applied from June 24 to 26.
Complete tracking records were obtained for eight fish that migrated into the
Black Sturgeon River on consecutive years that ranged from 3 to 7 (Table
3). Partial records were obtained for two fish (150.474 and 150.146) that
migrated out of the Black Sturgeon River in late September 2003 (Table 3).
Frequency 150.474 was located in Black Bay during the aerial survey in 2004
(Figure 5). By the end of 2006 the battery life of the 25 gram tags had expired.
Data was collected from the 85 gram tags up to the end of October 2009.
Movements Fall and winter Radio tagged lake sturgeon utilize Lake Superior (Black Bay) as an over
wintering site. After being radio tagged in the vicinity of the Camp 43 dam in
June and August of 2003, the data logger at the mouth recorded all ten radio
tagged sturgeon migrating out of the river from August 30 to October 11, 2003
(Appendix 1). Two of these fish were located near the dam during the aerial
survey on September 29, 2003. During the late winter aerial survey on April 19,
2004 no fish were located in the Black Sturgeon River between the dam and the
mouth but three were located in the northern portion of Black Bay. One fish was
near the mouth of Coldwater Creek (150.184), one was near the mouth of the
Wolf River (150.474) and the other was east of the Black Sturgeon River mouth
(150.325) (Figure 5). The late summer / early fall out migrations that were
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documented in 2003 are presumed to be typical (i.e. not due to stress from
internal tag placement) as similar behaviour was noted throughout the study for
every fish that spent the summer in the river. The only exception was frequency
150.123 that was not recorded moving downstream from its last recorded
position at the Camp 43 dam in 2006 (Appendix 3). This may be due to the
battery life ending while the fish was at this location or the fish being removed
from the river. Out migrations from the river to Black Bay ranged from July 26 to
November 11 and tended to occur during periods of receding river flows
(Appendix 7). The mean daily flow on the date that fish out-migrated from 2004
to 2008 was 18 m3·s-1. Spring and summer From 2003 to 2009, radio tagged lake sturgeon that over-wintered in Black Bay
migrated into the Black Sturgeon River from April 17 to July 7 and most spent the
duration of the summer in the river (Appendix 1 to 7). During their upstream
migrations, lake sturgeon moved past the stationary loggers at the mouth and
boat launch relatively quickly, with most being recorded for less than 12 hrs. In
some instances fish moved past these loggers too quickly to be detected. The
mean daily flow on the date that fish migrated into the river (2004 to 2008) was
56 m3·s-1 (Appendix 7). River water temperature during these upstream
movements ranged from 3.5 to 18.1°C. In 2006, when movements were
monitored with four loggers (mouth, launch, railway and dam) it took from 1 to 2 d
for sturgeon to move 12.4 kms upstream from the mouth to the railway logger.
From 2007 to 2009, when movements were monitored with four loggers (mouth,
launch, highway and dam) it took from 5 to 40 d for sturgeon to move 16.3 kms
upstream from the mouth to the camp 43 logger.
The Camp 43 dam was the furthest point of upstream migration documented by
manual and stationary tracking methods (Appendix 1 to 7). Over the course of
this study all size ranges of radio tagged fish (83 – 111 cm) were detected at this
site. The dam data logger detected sturgeon in the spring, summer and fall with
7
the earliest detection on May 26, 2007 and the latest on October 29, 2007
(Appendix 4). Fish were at this site in consecutive years (i.e. 150.245) and
extended periods of residency at this location were common. The number of
consecutive days the stationary logger recorded sturgeon in the vicinity of the
Camp 43 dam ranged from 3 to 73 d during water temperatures that ranged from
7.2 to 23.9°C. Using manual tracking gear, we determined that sturgeon being
detected by the logger were often located in a large pool approximately 325 m
downstream of the dam or in the pool approximately 80 m downstream of the
dam. During manual tracking at the dam, visual observations of non radio
tagged sturgeon in the bedrock “pools” and directly below the face of the dam
was also documented.
From 2007 to 2009, two lake sturgeon (150.245 and 150.325) were detected by
the stationary logger at the highway, for extended periods (Appendix 4 to 7).
Fish 150.245 was at the highway from July 1 to 16, 2007 during mean daily water
temperature of 19.2°C and from May 15 to 31, 2008 during mean daily water
temperature of 9.7°C. In 2009 this fish was at the highway from June 24 to
August 11. Fish 150.325 was at the highway from May 28 to July 12, 2008
during mean daily water temperature of 12.3°C. The number of consecutive
days that fish were recorded at this location ranged from 5 to 20 d during water
temperatures that ranged from 7 to 20.9°C. In one instance, a fish migrated
upstream from Black Bay and remained at the highway for an extended period
(150.325 in 2008) while in other instances fish migrated to the dam and dropped
back downstream to the highway (i.e. 150.245 in 2007) for an extended period.
DISCUSSION Fish migrate to optimize feeding, avoid unfavourable conditions and (or) to
optimize reproductive success (Auer 1996). Although sex and age information
were not collected during this study, we speculate from the total length data (82.9
– 110.5 cm) that our radio tagged fish may have been immature fish. In the Bad
8
River WI, mature males averaged 120 cm total length while females averaged
148 cm (Slade and Auer 1997). According to the growth equation established for
sturgeon in the Kaministiquia River (Age = 5.3969(L) + 23.123) a 100 cm
sturgeon is approximately 14 years old (Stephenson 1988). Given the late age of
first maturity reported by Scott and Crossman (1973) (20 years for males and 25
years for females) and Mosindy and Rusak (1991) (16.8 years for males and
25.8 years for females) it appears that the migrations into the Black Sturgeon
River, for the most part were likely not for spawning. Lake sturgeons are
intermittent spawners, are known to ascend rivers to access spawning habitat
and do so on an infrequent basis according to gonad maturity (Mosindy and
Rusak 1991) (Priegel and Wirth 1977). In this study, lake sturgeon migrated from
Lake Superior into the Black Sturgeon River for up to 7 consecutive years
(150.245) which is inconsistent with spawning behaviour. This suggests the
sturgeon in this study were taking advantage of some other opportunity (such as
feeding) available in the riverine environment. Auer (1996) states that lake
sturgeon may utilize several different habitat types over the course of their life
and that juvenile habits are least understood. It is possible that the movements
from Black Bay to the Black Sturgeon River are indicative of a riverine phase to
their life cycle. The small size of the fish and the fact that many were in the river
after the typical spawning period also suggests they migrated to this location for
reasons other than spawning.
The extended periods of residency in the vicinity of rkm 14 (highway 11/17) may
indicate a preference for the habitat at this location. Sturgeon were often located
upstream of the highway where a 225m stretch of rapids empties into a large
pool. In 2007, after migrating to the camp 43 dam, fish 150.245 moved
downstream to the pool and remained there from July 1 to 16. It was also at this
location from May 15 to 30, 2008 when water temperatures ranged from 7 –
13.3°C and throughout the summer of 2009 when water temperatures ranged
from 17.3 to 20.9°C.
9
The habitat in the vicinity of the Camp 43 may also be important to lake sturgeon.
This is evidenced by the extended periods of residency noted throughout the
entire open water season and the fact that sturgeon have been captured at this
site during previous index netting assessments carried out from 2002 – 2004
(Friday 2004a). This site may be suitable for spawning since there are rapids
downstream of the dam and a large pool exists further downstream that may
offer refuge while mature fish are staging prior to spawning. Harkness and
Dymond (1961) also chronicle accounts of sturgeon “congregating in a pool or
hole after reaching the vicinity of the spawning site and remaining there until
certain temperature and perhaps other conditions are suitable”. Spawning
sturgeons are also known to congregate in the plunge pool at the base of
Kakabeka Falls prior to spawning (Friday 2004b).
The seasonal migrations between Black Bay and the Black Sturgeon River
documented in this study demonstrate the importance of tributary habitat to lake
sturgeon during the entire open water season. Although the use of tributaries for
spawning has been well documented (Slade and Rose 1994; Auer 1995; Friday
2004) it is apparent that riverine environments also provide other opportunities,
(such as feeding) that are important to sturgeon.
REFERENCES
Auer, N.A. 1996. Importance of habitat and migration to sturgeons with emphasis on lake sturgeon. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 53 (Suppl. 1): 152-160.
Auer, N.A. 2003. A Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Plan for Lake Superior. Great Lakes Fish Comm. Misc. Publ. 2003 – 02.
Biberhofer J and Prokopec C.M. 2004. Mapping and Classification of Submerged Aquatic Substrates in Black Bay Lake Superior. Environment Canada National Water Research Institute. Technical Note No. AEMRB – TN07-004.
10
Ferreri, C.P. and Taylor, W.W. 1999. Lake Sturgeon: A Unique and Imperilled Species in the Great Lakes. Great Lakes Fisheries Policy and Management – A Binational Perspective, Michigan State University Press, pp. 515 and 534. Friday, M. 2004a. Population characteristics of Black Sturgeon River lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). 25 p. Friday, M. 2004b. The migratory and reproductive response of spawning lake sturgeon to controlled flows over Kakakabeka Falls on the Kaministiquia River, 2004. 27 p. Harkness, W.J.K. and Dymond, J.R. 1961. The Lake Sturgeon: The History of its Fishery and Problems of Conservation. Ontario Department of Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife Branch. Holey, M.E., Baker, E.A., Thuemler, T.F., and Elliott, R.F. 2000. Research and assessment needs to restore lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes: Results of a workshop sponsored by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. Martin, S.W., Long J.A. and T.N. Pearsons. 1995. Comparison of survival, gonad development and growth between rainbow trout with and without surgically implanted dummy radio transmitters. N. Amer. J. Fish. Mgt. 15: 494 – 498. Mosindy, T. and J. Rusak. 1991. An assessment of lake sturgeon populations in Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River 1987-90. Lake of the Woods Fisheries Assessment Unit Report 1991:01.
Ono, R.D., Wagner, J.D. and Wagner, A. 1983. Vanishing Fishes of North America. Stone Wall Press, Washington.
Priegel, G. R. and T.L. Wirth 1975. Lake sturgeon harvest, growth and recruitment in Lake Winnebago. WI. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Technical Bulletin NO. 83. Sakamoto, K. 2002. Black Sturgeon Watershed: Fishery and Surficial Geology Study.Unpublished Independent Study, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario. pp. 1, 5-12. Ross, M. J. 1982. Shielded needle technique for surgically implanting radio transmitters in fish. Proj. Fish-Cult. 44: 41-43. Scott, W. B. and E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater fishes of Canada. Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Bulletin 184. 966 p.
11
Slade, J.W. and Auer, N.A. [Ed.]. 1997. Status of lake sturgeon in Lake Superior. Report prepared for the Lake Superior Technical Committee by the Lake Sturgeon Subcommittee, Great Lakes Fishery Commission. p. 45. Stephenson, S.A. 1999. Status of lake sturgeon in three Canadian Lake Superior tributaries. Lake Superior Management Unit Technical Report 99-1. Swainson, R. 2001. Fish and fisheries of the Lake Nipigon basin, Nipigon River and Black Sturgeon River system from 1840 – 2001, Ontario Livening Legacy Lake Nipigon Signature Site. OMNR.
12
Camp 43 Dam
Figure 1. The Black Sturgeon River and Black Bay study area with respect to Lake Superior.
Camp 43 Dam
13
Figure 2. Location of present (Camp 43) and historical dams along the Black Sturgeon River.
14
Figure 3. Location of tagging site, rapids (yellow circles) and radio telemetry data loggers along the Black Sturgeon River.
15
Figure 3. Location of radio telemetry data loggers on the Black Sturgeon River. Figure 4. Flight path (dotted line) during the September 2003 aerial survey. Figure 4. Flight path (dotted line) during the September 29, 2003 aerial survey.
16
Figure 5. Flight path (dotted line) during the April 19, 2004 aerial survey and location of three radio tagged sturgeon in Black Bay.
17
Table 1. Tracking method and location of data loggers from 2003 to 2009.
Tracking Method 2003 2004 2005
Logger
Operating time
Mouth
July 7 – Oct 29
Mouth
Apr 6 – Oct 5
Mouth
Apr 15 – Oct 10
Land based (manual) yes yes no
Tracking Method 2006 2007 2008 2009
Logger
Operating time
Mouth Launch Railway Dam
Apr 10 – Oct 18
Mouth Launch Highway Dam
Apr 2 –
Mouth Launch Highway Dam
continuous
Mouth Launch Highway Dam
Removed Oct
22 - 23 Land based
(manual) yes yes no no
Table 2. Tagging information for 10 lake sturgeon.
Frequency (MHz)
Tag weight (g)
Tag life (yrs) Tlen (cm) Rwt (kg) Tag date
150.045 25 1.3 82.9 3 24-Jun-03 150.224 85 3 104.7 6.6 24-Jun-03 150.245 85 3 91.5 7.4 25-Jun-03 150.384 85 3 97.5 8.2 25-Jun-03 150.325 85 3 106.7 9.7 26-Jun-03 150.474 85 3 102.8 8.5 26-Jun-03 150.084 25 1.3 102.9 6.9 28-Aug-03 150.123 25 1.3 105 7.5 28-Aug-03 150.146 25 1.3 100.5 5.8 28-Aug-03 150.184 25 1.3 110.5 8.5 28-Aug-03
18
Table 3. Years during which radio tagged lake sturgeon were detected in the Black Sturgeon River (indicated with an x).
Tag size (g) Frequency 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 25 150.045 x x x x 25 150.084 x x x x 25 150.123 x x x x 25 150.146 x 25 150.184 x x x x 85 150.224 x x x x 85 150.245 x x x x x x x 85 150.325 x x x x x x 85 150.384 x x x
85 150.474 x APPENDIX 1 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeon (by MHz) into and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2004. Data points represent locations made by land tracking and detections made by the data logger at the mouth of the River.
Frequency 150.045
15-Apr
20-Apr
25-Apr
30-Apr05-M
ay
10-May
15-May
20-May
25-May
30-May
04-Jun
09-Jun14-Jun
19-Jun
24-Jun
29-Jun
04-Jul
09-Jul
14-Jul
19-Jul24-Jul
29-Jul
03-Aug
08-Aug
13-Aug
18-Aug
23-Aug
28-Aug02-Sep
07-Sep
12-Sep
17-Sep
RAILWAY
DAM
HWY
WASHOUT
LAUNCH
MOUTH
LAKE
19
Frequency 150.123
15-Apr
20-Apr
25-Apr30-Apr
05-May
10-May
15-May
20-May
25-May
30-May
04-Jun
09-Jun
14-Jun19-Jun
24-Jun
29-Jun
04-Jul
09-Jul
14-Jul19-Jul
24-Jul
29-Jul
03-Aug
08-Aug13-Aug
18-Aug
23-Aug
28-Aug
02-Sep07-Sep
12-Sep
17-SepDAM
HWY
WASHOUT
LAUNCH
MOUTH
RAILWAY
LAKE
Frequency 150.184
15-Apr
20-Apr
25-Apr
30-Apr
05-May
10-May
15-May
20-May
25-May
30-May
04-Jun09-Jun14-Jun19-Jun24-Jun29-Jun04-Jul09-Jul14-Jul19-Jul24-Jul29-Jul03-A
ug08-A
ug13-A
ug18-A
ug23-A
ug28-A
ug02-S
ep07-S
ep12-S
ep17-S
ep
DAM
HWY
WASHOUT
LAUNCH
MOUTH
RAILWAY
LAKE
Frequency 150.224
15-Apr20-Apr25-Apr30-Apr05-M
ay10-M
ay15-M
ay20-M
ay25-M
ay30-M
ay04-Jun09-Jun14-Jun19-Jun24-Jun29-Jun04-Jul09-Jul14-Jul19-Jul24-Jul29-Jul03-Aug08-Aug13-Aug18-Aug23-Aug28-Aug02-Sep07-Sep12-Sep17-Sep
DAM
HWY
WASHOUT
LAUNCH
MOUTH
RAILWAY
LAKE
20
Frequency 150.245
15-Apr
20-Apr25-Apr
30-Apr
05-May
10-May
15-May
20-May
25-May
30-May
04-Jun
09-Jun14-Jun
19-Jun
24-Jun
29-Jun04-Jul
09-Jul
14-Jul
19-Jul24-Jul
29-Jul
03-Aug08-Aug
13-Aug
18-Aug
23-Aug28-Aug
02-Sep
07-Sep12-Sep
17-Sep
DAM
HWY
WASHOUT
LAUNCH
MOUTH
RAILWAY
LAKE
Frequency 150.325
15-Apr20-Apr25-Apr30-Apr05-M
ay10-M
ay15-M
ay20-M
ay25-M
ay30-M
ay04-Jun09-Jun14-Jun19-Jun24-Jun29-Jun04-Jul09-Jul14-Jul19-Jul24-Jul29-Jul03-Aug08-Aug13-Aug18-Aug23-Aug28-Aug02-Sep07-Sep12-Sep17-Sep22-Sep27-Sep02-O
ct
DAM
HWY
WASHOUT
LAUNCH
MOUTH
RAILWAY
LAKE
Frequency 150.384
15-Apr
20-Apr
25-Apr
30-Apr05-M
ay
10-May
15-May
20-May
25-May
30-May
04-Jun
09-Jun14-Jun
19-Jun
24-Jun
29-Jun
04-Jul
09-Jul
14-Jul
19-Jul24-Jul
29-Jul
03-Aug
08-Aug
13-Aug
18-Aug
23-Aug
28-Aug02-Sep
07-Sep
12-Sep
17-Sep
DAM
HWY
WASHOUT
LAUNCH
MOUTH
RAILWAY
LAKE
21
APPENDIX 2 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeon (by MHz) into and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2005. Data points represent detections made by the data logger located at the mouth. No land tracking was carried out in 2005.
17-Apr
27-Apr
07-May
17-May
27-May
06-Jun
16-Jun
26-Jun
06-Jul
16-Jul
26-Jul
05-Aug
15-Aug
25-Aug
04-Sep
14-Sep
24-Sep
04-Oct
14-Oct
24-Oct
Freq
uenc
y M
Hz
384
325
245
224
184
084
045
APPENDIX 3 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeons (by MHz) into and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2006. Data points represent locations made by land tracking at the highway and detections made by data loggers located at the mouth, launch, railway and Camp 43 dam.
Frequency 150.24514-Jun16-Jun18-Jun20-Jun22-Jun24-Jun26-Jun28-Jun30-Jun02-Jul04-Jul06-Jul08-Jul10-Jul12-Jul14-Jul16-Jul18-Jul20-Jul22-Jul24-Jul26-Jul28-Jul30-Jul01-Aug03-Aug05-Aug07-Aug09-Aug11-Aug13-Aug15-Aug17-Aug19-Aug21-Aug
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Wat
er te
mpe
ratu
re °
C
sturgeon location water temperature
Mouth
Launch
Railway
Dam
Highway
22
Frequency 150.184
10-Jun
12-Jun
14-Jun
16-Jun
18-Jun
20-Jun
22-Jun
24-Jun
26-Jun
28-Jun
30-Jun
02-Jul
04-Jul
06-Jul
08-Jul
10-Jul
12-Jul
14-Jul
16-Jul
18-Jul
20-Jul
22-Jul
24-Jul
26-Jul
0
5
10
15
20
25
Wat
er te
mpe
ratu
re °
C
sturgeon location water temperature
Mouth
Launch
Dam
Railway
Frequency 150.123
20-May
22-May
23-May
24-May
25-May
29-May
02-Jun
03-Jun
04-Jun
05-Jun
06-Jun
08-Jun
13-Jun
01-Jul
03-Jul
04-Jul
21-Jul
22-Jul
27-Jul
02-Aug
04-Aug
08-Aug
15-Aug
24-Sep
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Wat
er te
mpe
ratu
re °
C
sturgeon location water temperature
Mouth
Launch
Railway
Dam
Highway
23
APPENDIX 4 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeons (by MHz) into and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2007. Data points represent locations made by data loggers located at the mouth, launch, highway and Camp 43 dam. The mean daily water temperature on each date that a location was made has been included.
Frequency 150.245
21-May
27-May
02-Jun08-Jun
14-Jun
20-Jun
26-Jun
02-Jul
08-Jul
14-Jul
20-Jul
26-Jul
01-Aug
07-Aug
13-Aug
19-Aug
25-Aug
31-Aug
06-Sep
12-Sep
18-Sep
24-Sep
30-Sep
06-Oct
12-Oct
18-Oct
24-Oct
30-Oct
05-Nov
11-Nov
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Wat
er te
mpe
ratu
re °C
sturgeon location water temperature
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Frquency 150.325
17-Apr
20-May
27-May
01-Jun
07-Jun
13-Jun
19-Jun
24-Jun
29-Jun
04-Jul
09-Jul
14-Jul
19-Jul
24-Jul
01-Sep
06-Sep
11-Sep
16-Sep
20-Sep
25-Sep
30-Sep
05-Oct
10-Oct
16-Oct
28-Oct
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Wat
er te
mpe
ratu
re °
C
sturgeon location water temperature
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
24
APPENDIX 5 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeons (by MHz) into and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2008. Sturgeon data points represent detections made by data loggers located at the mouth, launch, highway and Camp 43 dam. The mean daily water temperature of each date that a location was made has been included.
Frequency 150.245
11-May
15-May
19-May
23-May
27-May
31-May
04-Jun
08-Jun
12-Jun
16-Jun
20-Jun
24-Jun
28-Jun
02-Jul
06-Jul
10-Jul
14-Jul
18-Jul
22-Jul
26-Jul
30-Jul
03-Aug
07-Aug
11-Aug
15-Aug
19-Aug
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Wat
er te
mpe
ratu
re °
C
sturgeon location water temperature
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Frequency 150.325
16-May
19-May
22-May
25-May
28-May
31-May
03-Jun06-Jun09-Jun12-Jun15-Jun18-Jun21-Jun24-Jun
27-Jun30-Jun03-Jul06-Jul09-Jul12-Jul15-Jul18-Jul21-Jul
24-Jul27-Jul30-Jul02-Aug05-Aug
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Wat
er te
mpe
ratu
re °
C
sturgeon location water temperature
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
25
APPENDIX 6 The seasonal movements of individual radio tagged sturgeons (by MHz) into and out the Black Sturgeon River in 2009. Sturgeon data points represent detections made by data loggers located at the mouth, launch, highway and Camp 43 dam.
Frequency 150.245
02-Jun
09-Jun
16-Jun
23-Jun
30-Jun
07-Jul
14-Jul
21-Jul
28-Jul
04-Aug
11-Aug
18-Aug
25-Aug
01-Sep
08-Sep
15-Sep
22-Sep
sturgeon location
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
APPENDIX 7 The seasonal movements of radio tagged lake sturgeon between Black Bay and the Black Sturgeon River from 2003 to 2009.
Frequency 150.2451-Jan-031-M
ar-031-M
ay-031-Jul-031-Sep-031-N
ov-031-Jan-041-M
ar-041-M
ay-041-Jul-041-Sep-041-N
ov-041-Jan-051-M
ar-051-M
ay-051-Jul-051-Sep-051-N
ov-051-Jan-061-M
ar-061-M
ay-061-Jul-061-Sep-061-N
ov-061-Jan-071-M
ar-071-M
ay-071-Jul-071-Sep-071-N
ov-071-Jan-081-M
ar-081-M
ay-081-Jul-081-Sep-081-N
ov-081-Jan-091-M
ar-091-M
ay-091-Jul-091-Sep-091-N
ov-091-Jan-10
Years (2003 to 2009)
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Lake
Tagging date
26
Frequency 150.325
1-Jan-031-M
ar-03
1-May-03
1-Jul-03
1-Sep-03
1-Nov-03
1-Jan-04
1-Mar-04
1-May-04
1-Jul-04
1-Sep-04
1-Nov-04
1-Jan-05
1-Mar-05
1-May-05
1-Jul-05
1-Sep-05
1-Nov-05
1-Jan-061-M
ar-06
1-May-06
1-Jul-06
1-Sep-06
1-Nov-06
1-Jan-071-M
ar-07
1-May-07
1-Jul-07
1-Sep-07
1-Nov-07
1-Jan-081-M
ar-08
1-May-08
1-Jul-08
1-Sep-08
1-Nov-08
1-Jan-09
Years (2003 to 2008)
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Lake
Tagging date
Frequency 150.045
1-Jan-03
1-Mar-03
1-May-03
1-Jul-03
1-Sep-03
1-Nov-03
1-Jan-04
1-Mar-04
1-May-04
1-Jul-04
1-Sep-04
1-Nov-04
1-Jan-05
1-Mar-05
1-May-05
1-Jul-05
1-Sep-05
1-Nov-05
1-Jan-06
1-Mar-06
1-May-06
1-Jul-06
1-Sep-06
1-Nov-06
1-Jan-07
Years (2003 to 2006)
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Lake
Tagging date
Frequency 150.084
1-Jan-03
1-Mar-03
1-May-03
1-Jul-03
1-Sep-03
1-Nov-03
1-Jan-04
1-Mar-04
1-May-04
1-Jul-04
1-Sep-04
1-Nov-04
1-Jan-05
1-Mar-05
1-May-05
1-Jul-05
1-Sep-05
1-Nov-05
1-Jan-06
1-Mar-06
1-May-06
1-Jul-06
1-Sep-06
1-Nov-06
1-Jan-07
Years (2003 to 2006)
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Lake
Tagging date
27
Frequency 150.123
1-Jan-03
1-Mar-03
1-May-03
1-Jul-03
1-Sep-03
1-Nov-03
1-Jan-04
1-Mar-04
1-May-04
1-Jul-04
1-Sep-04
1-Nov-04
1-Jan-05
1-Mar-05
1-May-05
1-Jul-05
1-Sep-05
1-Nov-05
1-Jan-06
1-Mar-06
1-May-06
1-Jul-06
1-Sep-06
1-Nov-06
1-Jan-07
Years (2003 to 2006)
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Lake
Tagging date
Frequency 150.184
1-Jan-03
1-Mar-03
1-May-03
1-Jul-03
1-Sep-03
1-Nov-03
1-Jan-04
1-Mar-04
1-May-04
1-Jul-04
1-Sep-04
1-Nov-04
1-Jan-05
1-Mar-05
1-May-05
1-Jul-05
1-Sep-05
1-Nov-05
1-Jan-06
1-Mar-06
1-May-06
1-Jul-06
1-Sep-06
1-Nov-06
1-Jan-07
Years (2003 to 2006)
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Lake
Tagging date
Frequency 150.224
1-Jan-03
1-Mar-03
1-May-03
1-Jul-03
1-Sep-03
1-Nov-03
1-Jan-04
1-Mar-04
1-May-04
1-Jul-04
1-Sep-04
1-Nov-04
1-Jan-05
1-Mar-05
1-May-05
1-Jul-05
1-Sep-05
1-Nov-05
1-Jan-06
Years (2003 to 2006)
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Lake
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Lake
Tagging date
28
Frequency 150.384
1-Jan-03
1-Mar-03
1-May-03
1-Jul-03
1-Sep-03
1-Nov-03
1-Jan-04
1-Mar-04
1-May-04
1-Jul-04
1-Sep-04
1-Nov-04
1-Jan-05
1-Mar-05
1-May-05
1-Jul-05
1-Sep-05
1-Nov-05
1-Jan-06
Years (2003 to 2006)
Mouth
Launch
Highway
Dam
Lake
Tagging date
APPENDIX 8 The period of immigration into the Black Sturgeon River and emigration into Black Bay as related to total river flows (m3·s-1). Each paired colour denotes a single fish.
2004
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
01-May
11-May
21-May
31-May
10-Jun
20-Jun
30-Jun
10-Jul
20-Jul
30-Jul
09-Aug
19-Aug
29-Aug
08-Sep
18-Sep
28-Sep
08-Oct
18-Oct
28-Oct
07-Nov
17-Nov
27-Nov
Flow
s m
3 ·s-1
immigration
emigration
29
2005
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
01-May
11-May
21-May
31-May
10-Jun
20-Jun
30-Jun
10-Jul
20-Jul
30-Jul
09-Aug
19-Aug
29-Aug
08-Sep
18-Sep
28-Sep
08-Oct
18-Oct
28-Oct
07-Nov
17-Nov
27-Nov
Flow
s m
3 ·s-1
immigration
emigration
2006
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
01-May
11-May
21-May
31-May
10-Jun
20-Jun
30-Jun
10-Jul
20-Jul
30-Jul
09-Aug
19-Aug
29-Aug
08-Sep
18-Sep
28-Sep
08-Oct
18-Oct
28-Oct
07-Nov
17-Nov
27-Nov
Flow
s m
3 ·s-1
immigration
emigration
2007
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
01-May
11-May
21-May
31-May
10-Jun
20-Jun
30-Jun
10-Jul
20-Jul
30-Jul
09-Aug
19-Aug
29-Aug
08-Sep
18-Sep
28-Sep
08-Oct
18-Oct
28-Oct
07-Nov
17-Nov
27-Nov
Flow
s m
3·s-
1
emigration
immigration
30
2008
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
01-May
11-May
21-May
31-May
10-Jun
20-Jun
30-Jun
10-Jul
20-Jul
30-Jul
09-Aug
19-Aug
29-Aug
08-Sep
18-Sep
28-Sep
08-Oct
18-Oct
28-Oct
07-Nov
17-Nov
27-Nov
Flow
s m
3·s-
1 immigration
emigration
31